Display monitors and monitor mount

ABSTRACT

A system includes a monitor mount and first detachably secured to the monitor mount by the second coupling, (ii) detachably secure the first monitor by the third coupling, and (iii) surround at least a portion of the first electronic visual display when the first monitor is secured to the second monitor.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a national stage application, filed under 35U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/US2017/066128, filedDec. 13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/439,427,filed Dec. 27, 2016, the contents of both of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to monitors havingelectronic visual displays and monitor mounts for use with suchmonitors.

BACKGROUND

Monitors that include electronic visual displays are utilized in a largenumber of applications within a wide variety of industries including,for example, healthcare, military, and oil and gas. Many of theapplications within such industries require such monitors to, at times,be portable, and, at other times, be stationary. When not used intransport of a patient or when a patient is ambulatory, monitors attimes can be sometimes connected to a monitor mount. Such monitor mountscan provide a variety of functions including physical support, a powersource, and a conduit to one or more computer networks.

One type of a monitor is a patient monitor which is used by health carefacilities to monitor and display information about a patient such asvital signs, status of connected devices (e.g., physiological sensors,etc.), and the like. Patient monitors typically are portable devicesthat travel with the patient in order to provide continuous monitoringduring care. When a patient arrives at a hospital room or othertreatment location, the patient monitor is often plugged into orotherwise connected to a patient monitor mount. Patient monitor mountsprovide a physical interface for the patient monitor and are generallyfixed to the treatment location. Patient monitor mounts also provideelectrical connection to other devices or infrastructure, such as powerto recharge patient monitor batteries, network connectivity to othermedical devices or hospital computer systems, and the like.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a system includes a monitor mount and first and secondmonitors. The monitor mount includes a first coupling, a secondcoupling, and a first power bus. The first monitor includes a firstelectronic visual display and has a size and shape configured to bedetachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling. The firstmonitor can optionally be powered by the first power bus when secured tothe monitor mount. The second monitor includes a second electronicvisual display and a third coupling. The second monitor has a size andshape configured to: (i) be detachably secured to the monitor mount bythe second coupling, (ii) detachably secure the first monitor by thethird coupling, (iii) surround at least a portion of the firstelectronic visual display when the first monitor is secured to thesecond monitor.

The second monitor can be powered by the first power bus when the firstmonitor is secured to the second monitor and both of the first monitorand the second monitor are secured to the monitor mount.

The first monitor can also include a second power bus and the secondmonitor is powered by the second power bus when the first monitor issecured to the second monitor. The second monitor, in some variations,is operable solely via the second power bus. In other variations, thesecond monitor is operable via either of the first power bus and thesecond power bus.

The first monitor can include a self-contained power source that allowsthe first monitor to be operated independent of the monitor mount.

The first monitor can include a sensor interface configured to receivedata generated by at least one physiological sensor monitoring aphysiological parameter of a patient. The at least one physiologicalsensor can include a wired connection to the sensor interface. The atleast one physiological sensor can additionally or alternatively includea wireless connection to the sensor interface.

The second monitor can be configured to be first coupled to the secondcoupling and the first monitor can be configured to be subsequentlycoupled to the third coupling and the first coupling.

The first monitor can be configured to be coupled to and power thesecond monitor by the second power bus when neither of the first monitorand the second monitor are secured to the monitor mount.

The first coupling, the second coupling, and the third coupling can takevarious forms including a mechanical coupling, an electro-mechanicalcoupling, and/or a magnetic coupling.

The monitor mount can further include a first communications interfacecoupled to at least one computing network. With this variation, thefirst monitor can include a second communications interface whichtransmits and receives data over the computing network via the firstcommunications interface when the first monitor is secured to themonitor mount.

The second monitor can include a third communications interface forreceiving data from the second communications interface of the firstmonitor and for visualizing at least a portion of such received data onthe second electronic visual display.

The first monitor can be configured to be detachably secured to andremoved from a forward face of the monitor mount. In addition or thealternative, the first monitor can be configured to be transverselyinserted into and removed from the monitor mount.

The first monitor can be configured to be transversely inserted into andremoved from the second monitor.

In an interrelated aspect, a system for use with a monitor mount havinga first coupling, a second coupling, and a first power bus can include afirst monitor and a second monitor both as described herein.

In an further interrelated system, a monitor mount can include a firstcoupling, a second coupling, and a first power bus. Such a monitor mountis configured to detachably secure a first monitor and a second monitorboth as described herein.

Non-transitory computer program products (i.e., physically embodiedcomputer program products) are also described that store instructions,which when executed by one or more data processors of one or morecomputing systems, cause at least one data processor to performoperations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described thatcan include one or more data processors and memory coupled to the one ormore data processors. The memory can temporarily or permanently storeinstructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more ofthe operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implementedby one or more data processors either within a single computing systemor distributed among two or more computing systems. Such computingsystems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or otherinstructions or the like via one or more connections, including but notlimited to a connection over a network (e.g., the Internet, a wirelesswide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wirednetwork, or the like), via a direct connection (e.g., electricalconnection) between one or more of the multiple computing systems, etc.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages.For example, the current subject matter enables the mounting of twomonitors having different sizes, shapes, and functionality on a singlemonitor mount.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a logic diagram illustrating a first monitor, a second monitorand a monitor mount;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one implementation of thefirst monitor, the second monitor, and the monitor mount;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the monitor mount;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the monitor mount of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the monitor mount detachably securingthe first monitor;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the monitor mount detachably securingthe second monitor;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the monitor mount detachable securingboth the first monitor and the second monitor;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first monitor and the second monitorseparate and removed from the monitor mount;

FIG. 9 is a back view of the second monitor;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another implementation of analternative first monitor, an alternative second monitor, and analternative monitor mount;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternative monitor mount;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the alternative monitor mount of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the alternative first monitor;

FIG. 14 is a back perspective view of the alternative first monitor ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative second monitor;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the alternative second monitor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a back view of the alternative second monitor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative monitor mountdetachably securing the alternative first monitor;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the alternative monitor mountdetachably securing the alternative second monitor;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the alternative monitor mountdetachably securing both the alternative first monitor and thealternative second monitor;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of another alternative firstmonitor;

and

FIG. 22 is a back perspective view of another alternative first monitorof FIG. 21.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein is directed to systems andapparatuses directed to monitors (e.g. display monitors having visualelectronic displays) and monitor mounts providing physical support and,in some cases, power and access to a communications/computer network.Use of such systems and apparatuses can, for example, occur in a medicalenvironment such as a hospital or doctor's office. When a patientundergoes initial patient monitoring in such an environment, a minimumset of sensors can be connected to a patient to collect various types ofpatient information as described in detail herein. As a patient is movedfrom one area of care within the medical environment to another area ofcare, the patient monitor can travel with the patient. In somesituations, the patient monitor can be mounted to a monitor mount toprovide for stationary observation of the patient information on avisual electronic display. During the course of patient monitoring, thenumber of sensors can also increase due to increased testing and/ormonitoring of the patient. In such a scenario, a patient monitorinitially monitoring the patient can be docked into monitor mount havinga second, larger monitor in order to expand the number of sensorsavailable for patient monitoring and/or increase the number of patientparameters on a single visual electronic display by docking the patientmonitoring device within a larger patient monitor. The initial patientmonitor can either remain within the larger patient monitor or beremoved from the larger patient monitor.

FIG. 1 is a logical diagram 100 of a first monitor 120, a second monitor140, and a monitor mount 160 which can detachably secure (or otherwisephysically interface) with both of the first monitor 120 and the secondmonitor 140. FIGS. 2-9 are diagrams 200-900 providing various views ofan example implementation of the first monitor 120, the second monitor140, and the monitor mount 160. FIGS. 10-20 are diagrams 1000-2000providing various views of another example implementation of the firstmonitor 120, the second monitor 140, and the monitor mount 160. FIGS.21-22 are diagrams 2100-2200 providing various views of yet anotherexample implementation of the first monitor 120.

As will be described in further detail below, the first monitor 120 hasa shape and size which differs from that of the second monitor 140.Notwithstanding, both of the first and second monitors 120, 140 are ableto be concurrently secured to the monitor mount 160. In addition, whilecertain configurations are illustrated with regard to the monitor mount160 and the first and second monitors 120, 140, it will be appreciatedthat these illustrations in FIGS. 2-8 are examples and not limiting innature (unless otherwise specified).

The first monitor 120 can, for example, be a patient monitor that isused to monitor various physiological parameters for a patient 110. Withsuch a variation, the first monitor 120 can include a sensor interface122 that can be used to connect via wired and/or wireless interfaces toone or more physiological sensors and/or medical devices 112 (e.g., ECGelectrodes, SPO₂ sensor, blood pressure cuffs, apnea detection sensors,respirators, etc.) associated with the patient 110. The first monitor120 can include one or more processors 124 (e.g., programmable dataprocessors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored inmemory 130 of the first monitor 120. Various data and graphical userinterfaces can be conveyed to a user via an electronic visual display126. This information can, for example, relate to the measuredphysiological parameters of the patient 110 and the like (e.g., bloodpressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respirationinformation, etc.). Other types of information can also be conveyed bythe electronic visual display 126. In some variations, the electronicvisual display 126 includes a touch screen interface.

The first monitor 120 can additionally include a communicationsinterface 128 which allows the first monitor 120 directly or indirectly(via, for example, the monitor mount 160) to access one or morecomputing networks. The communications interface 128 can include,various network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wirelesscommunications with such computing networks. The communicationsinterface 128 can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.)communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from themonitor mount 160 to the first monitor 120.

The first monitor 120 can optionally also include a power source and/orconduit 132 that can be used to power the various components of thefirst monitor 120. The power source/conduit 132 can include aself-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or it can includean interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directlyor by way of the monitor mount 160).

The second monitor 140 can include one or more processors 142 (e.g.,programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute variousinstructions stored in memory 144 of the second monitor 140. Variousdata and graphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via anelectronic visual display 146. This information can, for example, relateto the measured physiological parameters of the patient 110 and the like(e.g., blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry,respiration information, etc.) as received from the first monitor 120.Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visualdisplay 146. In some variations, the electronic visual display 146includes a touch screen interface.

The second monitor 140 can additionally include a communicationsinterface 148 which allows the second monitor 140 directly or indirectly(via, for example, the first monitor 120 and/or the monitor mount 160)to access one or more computing networks. The communications interface148 can include, various network cards/interfaces to enable wired andwireless communications with such computing networks. The communicationsinterface 148 can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.)communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from themonitor mount 160 to the second monitor 140 and the first monitor 120 tothe second monitor 140.

The second monitor 140 can optionally also include a power source and/orconduit 150 that can be used to power the various components of thefirst monitor 120. The power source/conduit 150 can include aself-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or it can includean interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directlyor by way of the first monitor 120 and/or the monitor mount 160). Insome variations, the second monitor 140 can only be powered and renderinformation when secured or otherwise connected to one or more of thefirst monitor 120 and the monitor mount 160.

The monitor mount 160 can include one or more processors 162 (e.g.,programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute variousinstructions stored in memory 164 of the monitor mount 160. The monitormount 160 can additionally include a communications interface 166 whichallows the monitor mount 160 directly or indirectly to access one ormore computing networks. The communications interface 166 can include,various network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wirelesscommunications with such computing networks. The communicationsinterface 166 can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.)communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as with thefirst monitor 120 and/or the second monitor 140.

The monitor mount 160 can optionally also include a power source and/orconduit 168 that can be used to power the various components of themonitor mount 160 and/or the first monitor 120 and the second monitor140 when secured to the monitor mount 160. The power source/conduit 168can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/orit can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet.

In some variations, the processors 162 and the memory 164 are omittedsuch that the monitor mount 160 provides only physical support andoptionally a power source.

The monitor mount 160 has a shape and size which allows it to detachablysecure both the first monitor 120 and the second monitor 140. In thisregard, detachably secure means that the monitor mount 160 can securethe respective monitors 120 and 140 such that they can be removed by auser when desired.

The monitor mount 160 can include a first coupling 170 that allows thefirst monitor 120 to be secured at such location. The first coupling 170can include a combination of ledges, rails, ribs, abutments, and thelike to allow the first monitor 120 to be secured to the monitor mount160. The first coupling 170 can additionally or alternatively usedifferent securing mechanisms including magnetic and/or electromagneticlocking mechanisms which cause the first monitor 120 to selectively besecured by the monitor mount 160. In some cases, the first monitor 120can slide into and out of the first coupling 170 from a lateraldirection (i.e., from the side of the monitor mount 160) while in othervariations, the first monitor 120 can be placed on and removed from theforward face of the monitor mount 160. In some implementations, thefirst monitor 120 can both slide into and out of the the first coupling170 from the lateral direction and be placed on and removed from theforward face of the monitor mount 160. Reference is made to view 400 ofFIG. 4 which shows a portion of the first coupling 170 in which thefirst monitor 120 can be inserted.

The positioning of the first monitor 120, when secured to the monitormount 160, can be such that the communications interface 128 on thefirst monitor 120 lines up to the communications interface 166 of themonitor mount 160 to allow, for example, a direct connection (e.g.,electrical connection) In other variations, the communications interface128 of the first monitor 120 exchanges data with the communicationsinterface 166 of the monitor mount 160 optically (via, for example,respective optical windows on the first monitor 120 and the monitormount 160).

The positioning of the first monitor 120 when secured to the monitormount 160 can also align the power source/conduit 132 of the firstmonitor 120 to be coupled to the power source/conduit 168 of the monitormount 160 which causes the monitor mount 160 to power the first monitor120.

The monitor mount 160 can include a second coupling 180 that allows thesecond monitor 140 to be secured at such location. The second coupling180 can include a combination of ledges, rails, ribs, abutments, and thelike to allow the second monitor 140 to be secured to the monitor mount160. The second coupling 180 can additionally or alternatively usedifferent securing mechanisms including magnetic and/or electromagneticlocking mechanisms which cause the second monitor 140 to selectively besecured by the monitor mount 160. The positioning of the second monitor140, when secured to the monitor mount 160, can be such that thecommunications interface 148 on the second monitor 140 lines up to thecommunications interface 166 of the monitor mount 160 to allow, forexample, a direct connection (e.g., electrical connection). In othervariations, the communications interface 148 of the second monitor 140exchanges data with the communications interface 166 of the monitormount 160 optically (via, for example, respective optical windows on thesecond monitor 140 and the monitor mount 160).

Second coupling 180 can enable front-to-back docking of the secondmonitor 140 within monitor mount 160 by providing a shelf featureextending outwardly. This feature of second coupling 180 can supportand/or disperse the weight of the second monitor 140 during positioningof the second monitor 140. For example, a user attempting to positionsecond monitor 140 within monitor mount 160 can rest second monitor 140on second coupling 180 during the positioning while attaching a frontportion of second monitor 140 to second coupling 180. A back portion ofsecond monitor 140 such as the communications interface 140 can followonce the front portion of the second monitor 140 has been secured.

The positioning of the second monitor 140 when secured to the monitormount 160 can also align the power source/conduit 150 of the secondmonitor 140 to be coupled to the power source/conduit 168 of the monitormount 160 which causes the monitor mount 160 to power the second monitor140. In some variations, the positioning of the second monitor 140 whensecured to the monitor mount 160 and when the first monitor 120 is alsosecured to the monitor mount 160 can also align the power source/conduit150 of the second monitor 140 to be coupled to the power source/conduit132 of the first monitor 120 (which in turn is connected to the powersource/conduit 168 of the monitor mount 160) which causes the firstmonitor 120 to power the second monitor 140

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view 200 that shows the relationshipamong the first monitor 120, the second monitor 140, and the monitormount. As shown, the communications interface 166 and the power/sourceconduit 168 can be placed intermediate the first coupling 170 so thatthe first monitor 120 may interface therewith. Similarly, thecommunications interface 166 and the power/source conduit 168 canadditionally be placed as part of the second coupling 180 (not shown) sothat the second monitor 140 may interface therewith. The perspectiveview 300 of FIG. 3 shows additional details in this regard.

FIG. 4 is a side view 400 showing various aspects of the monitor mount160 including detail about how the first monitor 120 can be transverselyinserted into the monitor mount 160 (i.e., the first monitor 120 canslide into the monitor mount 160).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view 500 showing the first monitor 120 beingdetachably secured to the monitor mount 160. First monitor 120 includesa first electrical connector 190 configured to connect with a secondelectrical connector 195 of the second monitor 140 via a directconnection.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view 600 showing the second monitor 140 beingdetachably secured to the monitor mount 160. In some variations, as isillustrated in view 700 of FIG. 7, the electronic visual display 146 ofsecond monitor 140 can surround/obscure at least a portion of theelectronic visual display 126 of the first monitor 120. The firstmonitor 120 can be removed from the monitor mount 160 independent of thesecond monitor 140 (for example, with reference to FIG. 7 by beingremoved transversely from the monitor mount 160). In addition, themonitor mount 160 can be arranged to allow left side and/or right sidetransverse removal from the monitor mount 160. In still othervariations, the second monitor 140 with the first monitor 120 disposedtherein can be removed from the monitor mount 160. Stated differently,the combination of the first monitor 120 and the second monitor 140 cantogether be detached from the monitor mount 160.

In some variations, the second monitor 140 can have a shape and size tocompletely envelop and secure the first monitor 120. With reference toview 800 of FIG. 8, the first monitor 120 can be secured and interfacewith the second monitor 140. When the first monitor 120 is secured withthe second monitor 140, a connection is made by the first electricalconnection 190 with the second electrical connector 195. Secondelectrical connector 195 of second monitor 140 is illustrated in backview 900 of FIG. 9. Similarly, with reference to side view 1900 of FIG.19, the alternative first monitor 120 can be secured and interfacewithin the open envelope of the alternative second monitor 140. Forexample, with such an arrangement, the data that otherwise would havebeen displayed by the electronic visual display 126 of the first monitor120 can be displayed by the electronic visual display 146 of the secondmonitor 140.

In some variations, communications interface 166 can be an opticalinterface providing optical communications between monitor mount 160 anda first monitor 120 and/or between a first monitor 120 and a secondmonitor 140 coupled together. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view1000 that shows the relationship of an alternative first monitor 120, analternative second monitor 140, and an alternative monitor mount 160. Asshown, the communications interface 166 and the power/source conduit 168can be placed intermediate the first coupling 170 so that the firstmonitor 120 may interface therewith. Similarly, the communicationsinterface 166 and the power/source conduit 168 can additionally beplaced as part of the second coupling 180 (not shown) so that the secondmonitor 140 may interface therewith. The perspective view 1100 of FIG.11 shows additional details in this regard.

FIG. 12 is a side view 1200 showing various aspects of the alternativemonitor mount 160 including detail about how the alternative firstmonitor 120 can be transversely inserted into the alternative monitormount 160 (i.e., the alternative first monitor 120 can slide into thealternative monitor mount 160).

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view 1300 of the alternative firstmonitor 120. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in some variations analternative first monitor 120 has no first electrical connector 190.Instead, the data communication between the alternative first monitor120 and alternative second monitor 140 is optical, occurring acrosscommunications interface 128 of alternative first monitor 120 asillustrated by the back perspective view 1400 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view 1500 of an alternative secondmonitor 140. FIG. 16 is a side view 1600 of the alternative secondmonitor 140 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a back view 1700 of the alternative second monitor of FIG.15. Data communication between the alternative second monitor 140 andmonitor mount 160 can also use an optical communications interface(e.g., communications interface 148).

FIG. 18 is a perspective view 1600 showing the alternative first monitor120 being detachably secured to the alternative monitor mount 160.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view 1900 showing the alternative secondmonitor 140 being detachably secured to the alternative monitor mount160. In some variations, as is illustrated in view 2000 of FIG. 20, theelectronic visual display 146 of alternative second monitor 140 cansurround/obscure at least a portion of the electronic visual display 126of the alternative first monitor 120. The alternative first monitor 120can be removed from the alternative monitor mount 160 independent of thealternative second monitor 140 (for example, with reference to FIG. 19by being removed transversely from the alternative monitor mount 160).In addition, the alternative monitor mount 160 can be arranged to allowleft side and/or right side transverse removal from the alternativemonitor mount 160. In still other variations, the alternative secondmonitor 140 with the alternative first monitor 120 disposed therein canbe removed from the alternative monitor mount 160. Stated differently,the combination of the alternative first monitor 120 and the alternativesecond monitor 140 can together be detached from the alternative monitormount 160.

In some variations, when the alternative first monitor 120 is mountedwithin the cavity of the alternative second monitor 140, thecommunications interface 128 (e.g., optical communications interface),and optionally the power interface 132, on the first monitor 120 providedata communications with, and optionally power to, the alternativesecond monitor 140 via the communications interface 148 (e.g., opticalcommunications interface), and optionally the power source/conduit 150,on the alternative second monitor 140 within the cavity.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view 2100 of another alternative firstmonitor 120 having a handle 121. Handle 121 can facilitate thetransverse insertion and/or removal of the alternative first monitor 120into the cavity of the alternative second monitor 140 and/or into thefirst coupling 170 of the alternative monitor mount 160. FIG. 22 is aback perspective view 2200 of the alternative first monitor 120 of FIG.21.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware,software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or featurescan include implementation in one or more computer programs that areexecutable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including atleast one programmable processor, which can be special or generalpurpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,and at least one output device. The programmable system or computingsystem can include clients and servers. A client and server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other. The computingsystems/devices can include a variety of devices including personalcomputers, mobile phones, tablet computers, and Internet-of-Things (IoT)devices.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,software, software applications, applications, components, or code,include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can beimplemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-orientedprogramming language, a functional programming language, a logicalprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As usedherein, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magneticdiscs, optical disks, solid-state storage devices, memory, andProgrammable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable data processor, including acomputer-readable medium that receives machine instructions as acomputer-readable signal. The term “computer-readable signal” refers toany signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable data processor. The computer-readable medium can store suchmachine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would anon-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or anyequivalent storage medium. The computer-readable medium canalternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in atransient manner, such as for example as would a processor cache orother random access memory associated with one or more physicalprocessor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter describedherein can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., aCRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device(e.g., a mouse or a trackball) and/or a touch-screen by which the usercan provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used toprovide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedbackprovided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visualfeedback, auditory feedback, and/or tactile feedback); and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase isintended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually orany of the recited elements or features in combination with any of theother recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at leastone of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are eachintended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” aboveand in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” suchthat an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examplesconsistent with aspects related to the described subject matter.Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications or additions are possible. In particular, further featuresand/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein.For example, the implementations described above can be directed tovarious combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and subcombinations of several further featuresdisclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in theaccompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. Other implementations may be within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a monitor mount comprising:a first coupling; a second coupling; and a first power bus; a firstmonitor comprising a first electronic visual display, the first monitorhaving a size and shape configured to be detachably secured to themonitor mount by the first coupling, the first monitor being powered bythe first power bus when secured to the monitor mount; and a secondmonitor comprising a second electronic visual display and a thirdcoupling, the second monitor having a size and shape configured to: (i)be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the second coupling, (ii)detachably secure the first monitor by the third coupling, (iii)surround at least a portion of the first electronic visual display whenthe first monitor is secured to the second monitor.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the second monitor is powered by the first power buswhen the first monitor is secured to the second monitor and both of thefirst monitor and the second monitor are secured to the monitor mount.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first monitor further comprises asecond power bus and the second monitor is powered by the second powerbus when the first monitor is secured to the second monitor.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the second monitor is operable solely via thesecond power bus.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the second monitoris operable via either of the first power bus and the second power bus.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first monitor comprises aself-contained power source that allows the first monitor to be operatedindependent of the monitor mount.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst monitor further comprises: a sensor interface configured toreceive data generated by at least one physiological sensor monitoring aphysiological parameter of a patient.
 8. The system of claim 7, whereinthe at least one physiological sensor comprises a wired connection tothe sensor interface.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least onephysiological sensor comprises a wireless connection to the sensorinterface.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second monitor isconfigured to be first coupled to the second coupling and the firstmonitor is configured to be subsequently coupled to the third couplingand the first coupling.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstmonitor is configured to be coupled to and power the second monitor bythe second power bus when neither of the first monitor and the secondmonitor are secured to the monitor mount.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first coupling, the second coupling, and thethird coupling is a mechanical coupling.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first coupling, the second coupling, and thethird coupling is an electro-mechanical coupling.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first coupling, the secondcoupling, and the third coupling is a magnetic coupling.
 15. The systemof claim 1, wherein: the monitor mount further comprises a firstcommunications interface coupled to at least one computing network, andthe first monitor comprises a second communications interface whichtransmits and receives data over the computing network via the firstcommunications interface when the first monitor is secured to themonitor mount.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second monitorcomprises a third communications interface for receiving data from thesecond communications interface of the first monitor and for visualizingat least a portion of such received data on the second electronic visualdisplay.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first monitor isconfigured to be detachably secured to and removed from a forward faceof the monitor mount.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstmonitor is configured to be transversely inserted into and removed fromthe monitor mount.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the first monitoris configured to be transversely inserted into and removed from thesecond monitor.
 20. A system for use with a monitor mount having a firstcoupling, a second coupling, and a first power bus, the systemcomprising: a first monitor comprising a first electronic visualdisplay, the first monitor having a size and shape configured to bedetachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling, the firstmonitor being powered by the first power bus when secured to the monitormount; and a second monitor comprising a second electronic visualdisplay and a third coupling, the second monitor having a size and shapeconfigured to: (i) be detachably secured to the monitor mount by thesecond coupling, (ii) detachably secure the first monitor by the thirdcoupling, (iii) surround at least a portion of the first electronicvisual display when the first monitor is secured to the second monitor.21. A monitor mount comprising: a first coupling; a second coupling; anda first power bus; wherein: the monitor mount is configured todetachably secure a first monitor and a second monitor; the firstmonitor comprises a first electronic visual display; the first monitorhas a size and shape configured to be detachably secured to the monitormount by the first coupling; the first monitor is powered by the firstpower bus when secured to the monitor mount; the second monitorcomprises a second electronic visual display and a third coupling; andthe second monitor has a size and shape configured to: (i) be detachablysecured to the monitor mount by the second coupling, (ii) detachablysecure the first monitor by the third coupling, (iii) surround at leasta portion of the first electronic visual display when the first monitoris secured to the second monitor.